AI in Genealogy: Copilot and Gemini OCR for Obituary Transcriptions and Anaysis!

4/7/2024

AI in Genealogy: Copilot and Gemini OCR for Obituary Transcriptions and Anaysis!

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Google Gemini OCR, Microsoft Copilot OCR, AI in Genealogy, AI Transcriptions

Are you using AI to help generate transcriptions, extracts, or abstracts for and/or understand your genealogical documents? I have been testing and using AI for many things in my genealogical world this past year. I have tested out and used various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others. I recently tested out generating transcriptions and using OCR for historical documents, from my family history, in Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Some turned out better than others. It’s a hit and miss. Of course, nothing is perfect, but I’m sure it will get better as time goes by. Check out a few of the results below for using AI to transcribe and/or analyze obituaries and see how you can use AI in your genealogy!

Microsoft Copilot AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example (Try #1)

Here is an example using AI-Powered OCR for transcription and analysis of an obituary for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman. It turned out pretty good, I'd say!

Microsoft Copilot AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example 1

Microsoft Copilot AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example 1-2

Google Gemini AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example (Multiple Tries)

After multiple attempts, with different prompts, Google Gemini was unable to use AI-Powered OCR for transcription and analysis of the same obituary for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman. I tried the same prompt as above, just simply "Transcribe", simply "What is this?", and more, to no avail.

Google Gemini AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example 1

Google Gemini AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example 1-2

Now, don't think for a moment that Google Gemini is of no use. As I mentioned, I use a combination of different platforms depending on the task, and Google Gemini performs much better in other tasks. More coming soon.

More Genealogy Resources

Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.

8 Comments

Karen Packard Rhodes link

4/9/2024 02:13:27 am

I remain skeptical about AI, but I've signed up for a free course from IBM, an introduction to AI. I found out about it in an article on ZDNet. The article gives an overview of the course, and tells how to sign up on the IBM SkillsBuild website for it, if anyone is interested. Here's the URL: https://www.zdnet.com/article/have-10-hours-ibm-will-train-you-in-ai-fundamentals-for-free/. I need to know more about it before I try to apply it to my genealogy research.

Diane Henriks link

4/14/2024 02:50:25 pm

AI has been around since the 50s, and we've been using it all along. ;) The big buzz for the past year and a half has been generative AI. Glad you're taking a free class. Hope you find generative AI to be quite useful! The possibilities are endless! :)

Marian Wood

4/9/2024 05:15:47 am

Ver interesting comparison! I'm still doing this the oldfashioned way, with my own eyes. But interested in seeing how AI can enhance the process.

4/14/2024 02:58:51 pm

This is just to show you one possibility using Copilot and Gemini OCR; there are many possibilities. This shows that the document can not only be analyzec according to text on an IMAGE, but transcribed as well. Stay tuned; I have tested out many document images, but I didn't want to include them all in one post. ;)

Karen McPherson

4/11/2024 05:09:27 pm

I've been pl;aying around with Copilot and I'm always interested in what people are doing with this new technology.

4/14/2024 02:59:49 pm

Have fun with it, and stay tuned! :)

Molly of Molly's Canopy link

4/13/2024 03:47:12 pm

The Microsoft Co-Pilot looks impressive on the transcription. This would be very helpful for blogging as well, to avoid having to retype passages. Thanks for posting!

4/14/2024 03:01:51 pm

Yes, it is! Gemini does better on others, and it will do some that Copilot will not do to what they think is a private document. Stay tuned for more! :)

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